The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-08-18

Of insanity, chiefly such as lead to suicide and
homicide. Inquiry developed the interesting
fact that the younger members of the Ihedi-
cal fraternity, who have a great ambition to
be "up with the times" were unanimous in
poohpooing the notion that the moon could
have had any effect on the perpetrator Of the
Texas murders. "It is merely coincidence,
say these medical beginners, "that the moon
was at its full when these murders were COM
mitted." Then they go on to theorize about
as follows;
"You will find in a II cases where there is
recurrence of the homicidal mania that the
murderer will on each subsequent occasion
act at the same time of day and night, and
use the same weapons, as on the first occasion.
Hence, the first of these murders having been
done in the full moon, and with hatchet or
Ak, the same holds good Of all the series"
On the other hand, experienced prac-
titioness in insanity arc either less dogmatIc
against the moonlight theory or frank
enough to admit its force. DR.. E. G. Spitzka,
the well known specialist in the Guiteau and
other famous insanity cases, received the re-
porter cordially. He wanted time to exam
inc the case thoroughly. After carefully
perusing the account the doctor said:
seems to be good reason to suppose that these
Taking that fact for granted, am prepared
TO believe, without the slightest doubt, that
lunar influence caused this wretch's insane
mania to explode, as we say"
"But, doctor, the physicians claim that
these lunar effects are all 'moonshineP"
"Not unreservedly, my youlg friend. Sci
ence has been wedding out many of these
primitive notions about the moon, but to
deny all influence of the planet on acute nerv-
Gus organizations or persons subject to aber-
rations of the mind would be folly. Here is
case in point, and will give you illustra-
tions later under the same group. Here are
eleven butcheries, committed at irregular in
tervals, by the same instrumentalities and
always in the full of the moon. Lunar in
fiuence thus becomes factor which can't be
ignored. 1t is a we'll known fact that in
stinctive propensities of the human mind are
more under the dominion of the tides and
moona than Of any other. In other words,
while lunar influence will not breed insane
mania in thoroughly balanced minds, it will,
where such mania or propensities arc instinct
i've, frequently cause them to explode.
"There are still very eminent men in our
ranks who go to great extremes in advocating
this lunar influence. Imay mention Dir. Kos
Ter, superintendent Of the large insane asylum
at Malsberg, near Bonn, in Germany. He has
carried the theory to more extreme limit
than any one else. Ho contends that the
moons influence varies, according to the sub
ject, from bi-monthly to monthly, bi-weekly,
etc, down to three days, and he maintains
his theory with great mathematical skill. /
don't go that far, of course. It's good deal
like the exploded notion that pneumonia
reaches its crisis on odd days. 1t all depends
on when you begin to figure. Ifyou get your
starting point to suit you you can fix any set
Of circum, tances into your theoretical pigeon
hole But I do believe in lunar influence OF
of the kind / have described, and, in this
Texas case, have not the least doubt that
the murderer is its victim"
The doctor, in substance, then expressed
his belief that the governing motive of the
Texas maniac was clearly an abnormal SEN
sual frenzy. This was not by any means UNI
common. Such alterations may exist, as the
combined results Of excessive inclination and
cynical brutality, in persons not insane by
any means. They are periodic, and in many
instances follow the phases Of the moon.
Homicide was a necessary incident in the
Texas crimes and where men came in for
butchery it was not because they excited any
special hostility, but were simply in the way
of the maniacs accomplished purpose, and
were therefore moved down like SO much
grass.
"There are other manifestations of almost
inconceivable brutality. One was reported
from Scotland many years ago, and another,
of recent date, from Colorado. And now that
we are talking OF lunar influence, | recall the
fact that the Scottish case was at the full OF
the moon, while the attacks of the case from
Colorado also followed periods of the
moon This will help to establish the theory
chat brutally insane propensities are gov
erned largely by the peculiar influence OF
lunar light. And yet" the doctor said in con-
clusion, "remember that all these crimes have
been committed by persons whose general
sanity could not be disputed"
Dr. Forbes Winslow, in summing up va
rious theories OIL the subject, says it is i'm.
possible to ignore altogether the evidence OF
such men as Pinel Daquin, Guislain and
others. Yet the experience Of modern psy.
| Geological physicians is to a great degree op.
posed to the deductions of these eminent men
| served among the insane at certain phases OF
the moon arise, not from the direct but the
| indirect influence Of this planets 1t is well
known that the rarity of the air, the cleo
tric conditions Of the atmosphere, the degree
| of heat, dryness, moisture and amount of wind
prevailing arc all more or less modified by tbt
state of the moon. In the generality Of bodily
diseases what obvious changes are observed
to accompany the meteorological condi
| tions referred to? Surely those suffering from
| diseases Of the brain and nervous system affect
ing the mind cannot, with any show Of reason
be considered as exempt from the operations
| Of agencies that are universally admitted tc
affect patients afflicted with other maladies.
He tells of an intelligent lady who occupied
the position of matron of an institution fol
insane ladies, and who invariably observed
| great agitation among the patients when the
moon was at Its fulL--New York World
A Sensational Novelists beginning.
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Come with me-" Young Cobb was taken int
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l .aIf s,,d triad n Na,. Uorlr Uirf1,,,ua